In a tense Week 15 game live on Monday Night Football, the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) defeated the Miami Dolphins (6-8) 28-15 at Acrissure Stadium.
A dominant win that significantly raises Pittsburgh’s chances of clinching the AFC North title. Although when viewing the first quarter of this revenge game, a win of this magnitude didn’t seem to be in the cards.
Miami’s No. 82 Dee Eskridge began the game with a return that brought the ball to their 27-yard line.
However, Miami struggled to advance offensively, with only a 20-yard completion from No. 1 Tua Tagovailoa to No. 89 Julian Hill providing any notable gain.
This led to a punt to Pittsburgh by No. 16 Jake Bailey.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh didn’t seem to do much either, with No. 8 Aaron Rodgers hardly being able to connect out of the back.
Yet the turning point was not far for the home team, once Pittsburgh’s No. 3 Corliss Waitman punted back to Miami.
Upon receiving the ball, Tagovailoa shortly after threw an interception caught by No. 22 Asante Samuel Jr. to get the ball back in Pittsburgh’s possession.
Despite that, now being the second quarter, both teams’ struggles to score remained.
Integral passes to Pittsburgh’s No. 4 DK Metcalf and Miami’s No. 17 Jaylen Waddle came with no reward. This continued until No. 47 Riley Patterson kicked a 54-yard field goal, allowing Miami to go up by three.
Not wanting to settle, Pittsburgh made a response before the half’s end.
After a 60-yard drive, No. 83 Connor Heyward rushed the endzone for a 1-yard touchdown. This was followed by No. 9 Chris Boswell scoring an extra point to close the first half.
While the game was still close, the third quarter saw Pittsburgh further extend its lead.
After No. 30 Jaylen Warren returned the kickoff, he and No. 14 Kenneth Gainwell made numerous critical runs that eventually turned into a 19-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to No. 11 Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
This was alongside an extra point from Boswell.
Pittsburgh continued to ride its wave of momentum, as after multiple key plays, No. 97 Cameron Heyward and No. 5 Jalen Ramsey pressured Miami to punt to end their drive.
Metcalf then scored another touchdown for Pittsburgh at 28 yards, with Boswell once again kicking an extra point.
Entering into the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh would not stop, following a rough drive from Miami, a 14-yard No. 81 Jonnu Smith touchdown run, and an extra point from Boswell put the team up by twenty-five.
Pittsburgh had built a commanding 28-3 lead. Miami, however, refused to surrender.
It wouldn’t be long after when Tagovailoa connected with No. 83 Darren Waller for a 6-yard touchdown.
Feeling the game shifting in their favor, Miami managed to quickly stop Pittsburgh with help from No. 2 Bradley Chubb and No. 53 Cameron Goode.
Tagovailoa then found Waller for another touchdown, with it being 13 yards this time around.
Nevertheless, a failed two-point conversion would end Miami’s comeback and its chances of leaving Pittsburgh winners.
Other Week 15 results include:
- Atlanta Falcons (5-9) def. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): 29-28
- Chicago Bears (10-4) def. Cleveland Browns (3-11): 31-3
- Baltimore Ravens (7-7) def. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10): 24-0
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) def. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): 16-13
- Buffalo Bills (10-4) def. New England Patriots (11-3): 35-31
- Washington Commanders (4-10) def. New York Giants (2-12): 29-21
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) def. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12): 31-0
- Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) def. New York Jets (3-11): 48-20
- Houston Texans (9-5) def. Arizona Cardinals (3-11): 40-20
- Denver Broncos (12-2) def. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1): 34-26
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3) def. Detroit Lions (8-6): 41-34
- New Orleans Saints (4-10) def. Carolina Panthers (7-7): 20-17
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4) def. Tennessee Titans (2-12): 37-24
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3) def. Indianapolis Colts (8-6): 18-16
- Minnesota Vikings (6-8) def. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1): 34-26
The victory was well-earned for Pittsburgh, as they try to maintain their spot at the top of the division.
People were pleased with Rodgers’ impressive statistics of 23/27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
This, coinciding with Metcalf returning to form and the breakout of Gainwell, has led to a rise in Pittsburgh fans’ morale.
Morale, which may be altered heading into next week, as the team travels to Ford Field to meet Detroit on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. in a game that many agree could be their hardest of the year.
With head coach Mike Tomlin on the hot seat, these remaining games in the 2025-26 NFL season will be crucial.
Miami, now eliminated from playoff contention, have responded to recent criticism and announced the benching of Tagovailoa.
Their head coach, Mike McDaniel, reported at the team’s press conference that they would be starting the rookie, No. 14 Quinn Ewers.
Ewers will start at quarterback next week against Cincinnati on their home turf at Hard Rock Stadium at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Controversially, following the statement, Tagovailoa voiced his anger over the situation, along with No. 0 Zach Wilson, who was also seeking the job.
In spite of the challenges ahead, NFL viewers worldwide are excited to see how both teams fare in the final stretch of the season.
